I paired this reel with a nice 4 piece pack rod. I have set this up in around a minute, which includes tying on a lure. The handle loosens for storage, so you back off a nut and fold handle inwards. Slides right down in a reel bag. So the reel is really just smooth as butter. I lined with a nice 4 lb mono. Would recommend if you're not sure how much line to spool on, then buy a 110 yd spool (recommended length for 4 lb test on this reel). Line your reel, then take a sharpie and mark the remaining inner spool, so it will be a quick reference for future when using a larger spool. I grabbed a few different weight spinners, and went out to the local lake to try. This reel cast great, which is plenty for the size streams I fish. But, will also serve me well on larger rivers and mountain lakes. First cast, boom, 1 1/2 lb Bass. Drag was set perfectly. Later, a hand sized bream, only took two adjustments on drag. If I had to nitpick, I'd say bail closure after cast could be a little smoother. But that's my complaint with every spinning reel I've had, so it may be me. Can't complain about cost, you get what you pay for. If I wanted cheaper, I'd have gotten a Zebco 202.

ProsVery smooth
Excellent drag system
Compact and light

ConsReally, none

By Craig

Ringwood, NJ

March 11, 2016

Great Little Trout Reel

Affordable reel i purchased to pair with my ultralight trout rod for steam and small river fishing. Has worked well with no issues and did not break the bank to buy it.

By Alex

NJ

November 27, 2015

Great Reel

Great reel for a great price. Have been using it for almost 4 years now. Use it in fresh and salt. Caught everything from 5 pound largemouth to 5 pound flounder to speckled trout. Casts far, smooth retrieve and you cant beat the price. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. 10-14 lb mono is the only line ive ever outfitted it with.

Proscheap, smooth, durable

By Db

new york, NY

October 19, 2015

perfect

Perfect reel for trout fishing.
light well balaced.
love to use in slatwater also. But may be little to weak..

By Db

new york, NY

October 19, 2015

very smooth

It is better than its price.
waorks very well on both freshwater and saltwater.
Love to have extra spool also

By Alex

California, MD

May 3, 2015

Smooth freshwater reel

Very smooth and strong, landed some nice Bass with it, held up very well while fighting a 25lb Musky up in Minnesota last year. A+ reel in my opinion.

By Brian

lake worth , florida

May 3, 2015

Very reasonable

Cheap reel that can hold up! Max drag is really nice also!

ProsStability

By Neil

Ventura, CA

April 4, 2015

Needed a new one

This is by far one of my favorite reels. I have purchased several over the years and had my last one stolen last summer. It was time to replace it and get back out on the water.

By JukeJoint

Raleigh, NC

December 22, 2014

Nice for freshwater

I've had one of these for a few years, no issues, pretty smooth...I like it. Mostly use it for stripers casting jigs and traps on a 8ft rod. I love that it comes with a extra spool.

ProsSmooth

By Kyle

Big Pine Key, Florida

August 25, 2014

solid reel

I've been using this reel for 2 years now in fresh water. It holds up very well against large fish.

Prossmooth and durable.

By kneekap

Texas

August 9, 2012

6935

Got two of these that I use in saltwater for a couple of years. I rinse in fresh after use.
They have a smooth drag and operation with all those ball bearings. I make sure they
never get dunked, which would necessitate complete overhaul. They are great reels
for light saltwater use even though they are supposed to be freshwater reels.